DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — Allyson DeFelice likes colorful, pretty things. Her Delray Beach home showcases her love of teal and the beach life.
But it's through the doors of one room in particular that her most prized possessions are carefully displayed. Of them all, Blueberry Pie is her favorite.
"This is how it all started, because I had bought three or four of them and then I went back to buy more and they were all gone," DeFelice said.
She got her start collecting Bath & Body Works candles when her favorite scent was discontinued.
"And so then I went into the deep dark internet looking for it and I started to go down the rabbit hole," she said. "And that was the beginning of the end, I guess."
DeFelice scored big on Candle Day. Pictures on social media showed her haul — and her reluctant helper, fiancé Andrew Bateman.
They purchased more than 200 candles in 48 hours.
"And not only did she want to get one or two," Bateman said. "She wanted multiples."
DeFelice and Bateman made several stops that weekend.
"Into the Night was at the top of my list," DeFelice said.
For those who don't understand the candle craze, there are Facebook groups with thousands of members — each one proud to post their Bath & Body Works candle collections.
To DeFelice, it's not an obsession, but a hobby.
"Some of the rare ones that I look for, I'll trade with other people," she said. "Some of them I give as gifts. Some grow in value, and then someday somebody will be looking for it and ask me if I have extras and, sure, I do."
Bateman said it's no different than the baseball card collection he had as a child.
"It makes her happy," he said. "That's what it's about."
In return for carrying her candles and being a good sport, DeFelice is right there to support her fiance's passion for golf.
"Having fun," Bateman said.
"It's candles, exactly," DeFelice said. "It could be worse."
